Welcome

Welcome to the POZ/AIDSmeds Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and
others concerned about HIV/AIDS. Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the
conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning: Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive
and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a
username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own
physician.

All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators
of these forums. Click here for “Am I Infected?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ/AIDSmeds community forums.

We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please
provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are
true and correct to their knowledge.

Author
Topic: After 10 years starting a cocktail (Read 2595 times)

cwbyPOZ

Last week my doc said my numbers were crashing and it was time to start meds. I have always been above 475 CD4 count and under 5000 VL without meds. Well the last six months my numbers dropped to 300 CD4 and right around 13,000VL with only 100 blood platelets. My strain had been subjected to a drug at some point so she chose a three pill cocktail. I was in shock for about two days.

I thought about all the posts I have read where people would stare at the bottles for a few days and it was very traumatic for them to take the first step of swallowing just one of those pills. Of course it is more of a psychological event and monumental step to start that next chapter in their life. I had always joked with friends when the doc says its time to take a pill I would sit on it for a while then decide what I want to do. Well reality slapped me in the face. I just wasn't prepared for what my instincts told me to do. I decided right then and there it was time. I went to the kitchen got my pills and took them. I was completely alone. My partner was out of town and this was totally in my control. It was very liberating. I have too much to live for not to take a few pills a day.

I have had some unpleasant stomach pains from the pills but for the most part nothing as bad as I thought it would be. I am so grateful for all of the pioneers who have paved the way to get our treatments to this point. Thank you for giving me a prolonged chance at life. Cowboy

That is a good post to read first thing in the morning. i was spared seeing the taking off combo as anything but welcome and necessary, due to having OIs when the first drugs came out. When I first came across some one violently debating starting meds I was confused by there reaction and I think made the mistake off seeing their dilemma as only a form off denial.I look forward to reading off the increase in CD4 and decrease in VLTake care t

Logged

"If we can find the money to kill people, we can find the money to help people ." Tony Benn

It is somewhat unclear from your post but if you have been poz for only ten years, that means you were diagnosed sometime around the year 2000. However, you have posted in the LTS forum and this forum is strictly only for those diagnosed before the year 1996. This is stated very clearly in the LTS Forum Welcome Thread.

If you have not been diagnosed before 1996, please let me know and I'll move your thread into a more appropriate forum. Please don't feel as though you're being told off - I understand you're new here and might not know your way around as of yet. It's ok.

lmdo, I know for certain that you have not been diagnosed before 1996, so you should definitely not be posting in the LTS forum. I know you meant well, but thank you for your cooperation in the future. Please don't post in the LTS forum again.

Ann

on edit... This thread was originally posted in the LTS forum by mistake. The OP also had problems with his original account and is now back posting from that original account. Just wanted to clear up any confusion.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Sorry if this is the second time your reading this. I put it in the wrong place and had to make a new account to post it the first time. I have finally gotten back into my original account.

This may be more for me to vent than to ask a question.

Last week my doc said my numbers were crashing and it was time to start meds. I have always been above 475 CD4 count and under 5000 VL without meds. Well the last six months my numbers dropped to 300 CD4 and right around 13,000VL with only 100 blood platelets. My strain had been subjected to a drug at some point so she chose a three pill cocktail. I was in shock for about two days.

I thought about all the posts I have read where people would stare at the bottles for a few days and it was very traumatic for them to take the first step of swallowing just one of those pills. Of course it is more of a psychological event and monumental step to start that next chapter in their life. I had always joked with friends when the doc says its time to take a pill I would sit on it for a while then decide what I want to do. Well reality slapped me in the face. I just wasn't prepared for what my instincts told me to do. I decided right then and there it was time. I went to the kitchen got my pills and took them. I was completely alone. My partner was out of town and this was totally in my control. It was very liberating. I have too much to live for not to take a few pills a day.

I have had some unpleasant stomach pains from the pills but for the most part nothing as bad as I thought it would be. I am so grateful for all of the pioneers who have paved the way to get our treatments to this point. Thank you for giving me a prolonged chance at life. Cowboy

Logged

cwbyPOZ

sorry to be a bother. I found my original account information and posted this topic in a different area. how do I delete this account? I am so lost on this new forum. I miss the old simple one.lolThank youCwbyPOZ aka CowboyPoz

Cowboy, I dealt with your new account. If you have a similar problem in future, please do not create a new account. Instead send an email to forums@aidsmeds.com, tell us what the problem is and we will help you access your original account. We do not allow multiple accounts here.

As you had replies from a couple people, I merged your thread from LTS into your new thread.

I agree with the others - you'll do just fine once the initial adjustment period is over.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Cowboy, nice to meet you even under these circumstances. Next year, I will be coming up on what I believe is my 10 year anniversary being poz. I'm trying to get myself prepared for the eventuality of meds. I feel I'm becoming use to having HIV and not being on meds. While I know it will happen, I think it will be hard to accept that I now need meds in order to live. I try to tell myself all the time that this no meds thing is just temporary and to not get all depressed over having to start. And, that I should embrace starting and that I will probably feel much better.

It is good you listened to your doc and your own body. I hope I have the same resolve. Keep us informed of your progress.